Instructions: Guess the words defined by the cryptic clues (answers vary in length from three to eleven letters, one is capitalized, one is an affix, and one is a prefix) then enter them in the grid one after another in the same order as their clues, starting in the upper left corner. Across words that don't end at the right continue on the next row, and down words that don't end at the bottom continue in the next column. Two across words and two down words won't fit in the grid unless four of their letters are compacted into a single cell, the one marked X at the center of the grid. In addition, four across words and three down words won't fit in the grid unless one of their letters is omitted. Those seven letters, taken in order as they occur in across and down words, spell a two-word phrase related to the four letters compacted into the central cell marked X. Thanks to John de Cuevas for editing the clues with aplomb and betterment. If you are having trouble printing these puzzles, you can download an
Adobe Acrobat version of the puzzle and grid. [Want to see some hints?]